Word Origin & History

full O.E. full "completely, full," from P.Gmc. *fullaz (cf. O.Fris. ful, O.N. fullr, O.H.G. fol, Ger. voll, Goth. fulls), from PIE *ple- (see plenary). Adverbial sense was common in M.E. (full well, full many, etc.). Related: Fuller; fullest. Full moon was O.E. fulles monan; first record of full-blood in relation to racial purity is from 1812. Full house is 1710 in the theatrical sense, 1887 in the poker sense.